Falcons restructure front office
The St. Catharines Rankin Construction Falcons have shuffled the deck of their senior management staff.
Tyler Bielby will remain as head coach and also take on the role of president of hockey operations while Zack Schipper has been promoted to general manager after acting as assistant GM since 2018.
“This will allow me to oversee the hockey operations side of things, including the management team and coaches and support staff,” Bielby said. “There’s not much I won’t be involved in. It’s important to me to still have a pulse and still be overseeing that side of the operation while Zack is spreading his wings to do his own thing but it will all run through the president of hockey ops.”
Bielby feels Schipper is ready to take on a bigger role.
“He has really earned the opportunity to take on more responsibility within our organization and allow me to focus more on the coaching side of things,” Bielby said.
Schipper, a 30-year-old gradate of Saint Francis, is thrilled with the promotion.
“Couldn’t be more excited,” he said. “Grew up in St. Catharines and going to games as a kid and always wanted to be part of the team. When I joined in 2018 this was always the ultimate goal and getting to learn under Frank and Tyler this year, I’m ready for the opportunity and the challenge.
“I think I’m going to take a little off his plate by being the point of contact on all the major things.”
Schipper, who is employed as a health and safety manager for Merrit Contractors Niagara, feels fortunate to be able to work with Bielby.
“Saying we have a great relationship is an understatement,” Schipper said. “We enjoy spending time together and bounce ideas off each other really well. It’s not a yes-man situation. We challenge each other. We’re able to bounce things off each other and I have no issues going to Tyler about everything. Very comfortable with the relationship and the set up.”
The club also announced Michael Raskin is returning as assistant GM.
“It’s so nice to have both Zack and Michael,” Bielby said. “Both are hard working young men who have a passion for the game and it really allowed me to get through things last year with my full time career and things outside the arena. It’s a lot to take on at once.
“We’re extremely lucky to have the group of guys we have around us. Credit to Frank Girhiny, this goes back years ago to the team he brought together and the type of people he brought around the rink and we’re still returning and showing up and enjoying working together.”
Schipper said Raskin, who is also the general manager of the men’s hockey team at Laurier, is a big help behind the scenes.
“He’s going to help me out a ton and be my right hand man. Nothing but good things to say about Mike as well. I didn’t know him very well but we brought him in during our Sutherland Cup year to do some video and he’s become an integral part of our organization.”
Matt Miller will act as skill development coach this season while Ricky Girhiny and Joe Colasurdo will return as full time assistants.
Dear reader. If you liked this story or one of the 6,000 other stories found on our website, please consider hitting the Support Us button on the right-hand side of our home page and making a PayPal contribution to our website. Your support would be much appreciated. If you are a business owner, please consider advertising on our site. Our rates are reasonable and we provide plenty of exposure for your business. Contact bpotrecz@outlook.com for more information.
